Through seven weeks of the NFL season, the New England Patriots are sitting at a 3-4 record. In recent weeks there have been discussions about who should start at quarterback for the historic franchise. The question fans want to know, Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe? 

     In 2020, the patriots went 7-9 with Cam Newton at quarterback. This would land the Pats with a high draft pick selecting Mac Jones fifteenth overall out of Alabama. In his rookie season, Jones would lead the team to a 10-7 regular season record, making the playoffs. Mac would finish second in the offensive rookie of the year voting. He would go on to break the Pat’s rookie records for wins, passing yards, and touchdowns. Jones got an invite to the pro bowl after his tremendous season. The Patriots would fall to division rival Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Even with this Pats fans were excited to see the growth of Jones and the season ahead. 

     In training camp, Mac looked to have taken his game to the next level, as he impressed many. With this, the pats looked to start the season in a positive way. This was not the case as the team was 1-2 in their first three games. Jones was struggling, having only two touchdowns compared to five interceptions in those games. At the end of the week three game against the Ravens, Jones suffered a high ankle sprain late in the game. This injury would lead to him missing three weeks of action. It’s the next-man-up mentality in New England, this would make Rookie Bailey Zappe the starter for those games. 

     Coming into the season Bailey Zappe was the third quarterback on the roster not even dressing for the team’s first three games. With the injury to Jones and Brian Hoyer, the backup, being put on IR, Zappe would be the next guy up in line to try and turn the slow start around. Zappe came in his first career NFL action against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau. He played well, but the team still ended up losing. He would start the next two games against the Lions and Browns, winning both. After these two games, there were questions about who started the rest of the way. With Jones being healthy to play, there was a QB battle to be had. 

     Mac Jones returned to action in week 7 on Monday Night Football against the bears at home. Fans had mixed feelings about this and thought that Zappe should get the start over Jones. The offensive started slowly as they only had 1 first down the entire first quarter. After Jones threw an Interception he was benched for the rookie Bailey Zappe. He came in being down 10 and had the crowd going crazy for Zappe fever. In the first two drives, they would score on both with two long passes to get the lead back. But after that point, the offense slowed down and not a single point was scored by the pats from that point on. The Patriots would lose to the Bears 33-14 on national television. The quarterback battle is now up in the air for New England going forward. 

     The Patriots are sitting at 3-4 and last in the AFC east. They need to find ways to win to have a shot at making the postseason. The quarterback situation needs to be fixed before it is too late. Mac Jones is coming off an injury and got benched. Or Bailey Zappe who has given the pats the spark when he is in there. Bill Belichick is very secretive about these sorts of things. Whoever he picks needs to improve to help the team start winning games.